Truck Accident Settlement - Why Expert Witnesses Are Needed in Truck Accident Cases
A truck accident can be a potentially life-changing experience. It is crucial for victims to find a reputable personal injury attorney in their corner.
A reputable lawyer for truck accidents will conduct an extensive investigation, gather all available evidence and partner with experts to calculate general damages. This ensures that victims receive the compensation that they are entitled to.
Damages
A successful truck accident claim will award victims with the money needed to pay for the cost of repairs, expenses and damages resulting from the accident. This can include economic as well as noneconomic compensatory damages. Economic damages are concrete real, tangible and quantifiable like medical expenses or lost wages due to missing work. Non-economic damages give an amount to the physical, emotional and psychological effects of an injury, however this can be more difficult to quantify. An attorney who specializes in personal injury can assist claimants in receiving the maximum amount of compensation for both categories.
Establishing fault or the extent of liability is among the most crucial aspects of a truck accident case. This can be accomplished by a discovery process, in which the lawyers of both sides examine the evidence and exchange information. The driver who caused the crash may be held liable for his or her actions and so will the trucking company that employs them if they were negligent in maintaining the vehicle or enforcing unreasonable delivery times.
Victims can also claim compensation for property damage that was caused due to the accident. This includes the cost of fixing and replacing their vehicle, as well as any other valuable possessions like electronics, watches, and jewelry. The costs of travel to doctors' appointments and other locations may be refunded if the crash caused them to do so.
A skilled lawyer can assist claimants in obtaining compensation for other losses that aren't immediately financial in the sense of immediate financial compensation. These could include the loss of enjoyment and quality of life that result from severe injuries. This could be related to hobbies, favorite pastimes and even the ability to enjoy time with family members. It is important to remember that the person who has been injured has the right to claim the full amount of damages suffered and not just the amount they prove.
The lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak are experienced and can assist with every aspect of a truck accident case and even the process of establishing the fault. Always consult a lawyer before speaking with an insurance agent. A representative from an insurance company may appear friendly and helpful, however anything you say could be used against you later in court. If you hire an attorney, you can rest assured that you're being represented by someone who has your best interests in mind and will fight for the fair settlement you deserve. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We serve clients across the state of New York. Our office is conveniently located in Albany. We are open to taking calls all day, every day. We accept all major credit cards and offer financing options. All prospective clients are entitled to a free initial consultation. We do not charge charges unless we win your case or settle it.
Liability
Trucks weigh more and are bigger than passenger vehicles, and as such, they are more likely to cause serious injuries in collisions with other motor vehicles. Truck accidents are worth more than collisions that involve passenger cars.
It's also why it's important to determine all defendants when filing claims for compensation in the event of a crash involving a truck. Trucking companies could have many employees, contractors, and insurance policies, and often have legal teams that specialize in the defense of their clients. If you're able identify all the parties who were involved in the crash, you could make a case for maximum damages.
Apart from the expense of medical care and property damage, you'll need to consider how your injuries impact your daily life. For instance, you may not be able anymore to take part in your hobbies or in the activities you used to enjoy prior to the accident. The changes in your lifestyle should be reflected in the amount of your settlement.
The cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle's components should also be included in the settlement. A truck's size and weight can cause serious or even total damage when it comes into contact with a smaller car and the damages to your vehicle should be reflected in the final payout.
A lawyer can assist you determine the total amount of your medical bills as well as the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. They can also estimate any lost earnings due to the accident. This includes any income you lost from missing work due to your treatment, and also the loss of earning potential when you're not able to return to the same line of work.
Your lawyer can also calculate the amount of suffering and pain that you are entitled to. This may be based on the physical and emotional suffering you've experienced, and also how your injuries have affected your relationships. For instance when you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and can't maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse, then the court could award you damages to pay for the losses.
In addition, if the truck driver was an employee of the company the employer may be held accountable for their lapses. Some trucking companies attempt to avoid this by claiming their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. The courts will determine the extent that an employer can control the actions of a driver for instance, by offering insurance or requiring them to deliver in a specific manner. In such instances, the court will determine whether a driver is an independent contractor or an employee in a negligence case. If the driver is an employee, their employer is jointly and numerously liable with the negligent trucker for any damages awarded to victims of accidents.
Expert Witnesses
A professional with specialized expertise in a specific area is an expert witness. They provide impartial opinions and advice for your case, demonstrating an understanding of complicated issues. They can help your lawyer present an effective case in court, and it increases the likelihood that you will get a fair settlement. The type of expert required is dependent on the particular aspect of your case that they will be supporting.
An accident reconstruction expert can be essential in cases of truck accidents, as they are able to recreate the incident in a manner that is easier to understand. This includes analyzing the location of the truck, the area where the impact was, and what caused it to be there in the first place. They are also employed to identify what went wrong in the event of a crash that caused damages.
A manufacturing expert may be able provide insight on what was the cause of your accident. A safety expert can explain how certain parts of the semi-truck were defective and could have caused your injuries.
In cases involving drugs or alcohol, forensic toxicologists and drug recognition specialists can be very helpful. These experts can create a straight line from drug or alcohol intoxication to the incident, helping your lawyer demonstrate that the defendant was negligent.
Other experts include metallurgists, who can determine the reason a component of a vehicle failed as well as transportation engineers who can assess the way in which road design and other factors caused the crash. A forensic pathologist may help in determining the cause of death.
Medical professionals such as orthopedists, neurologists, surgeons and physiatrists could provide valuable information to your case on how your injuries have impacted your life. This is essential to prove injuries and suffering. You have to show, for instance, that your injuries have prevented you from earning money and from working. These experts can assist in this process by calculating lost promotions value, loss of pension benefits, and the rising medical care costs.
Insurance companies are often called "wolves in sheep's clothes," and they make every effort to refuse to pay you less than what you deserve. To avoid falling into their traps, let us handle all correspondence with the insurance company on your behalf.
Every little detail is crucial when it comes to personal injury law. That's why you must begin building your case as early as you can. You should also work with a personal injury lawyer skilled in handling these kinds of cases. They can help you identify the most competent experts for your case. Contact us if you're ready to talk with an attorney about your case. boynton beach truck accident lawsuit offer free consultations and we take on all cases on contingency. This means that you won't be charged until we win your case.